Episode 35: Pants on Fire

From the classic pithy one-liners just before the gavel sting on Law & Order to the antics of Andy and Barney in Mayberry, it seems like we, as a culture, have agreed that even when dealing with something as serious as crime and punishment, it never hurts to find a little levity. “The Colander Copier Caper” is an urban legend that plays on the trope of clever cops and credulous criminals. On a more serious note, the story might point out how easily false confessions can be obtained. In this week’s episode we’ll take a look at ironic history of the lie detector’s inventor William Moulton Marston, who is responsible for both the technology and the court decision that still bans it from courtrooms across the country today. Don’t worry, we’ll discuss his role in creating Wonder Woman, his well hidden polyamorous household, and his absolute allegiance to the feminist agenda, as well. Join us as we explore the history of the lie detector, why we want to believe in the device, and what the use of this technology actually means for the criminal justice system.